Firefighter Dies When Truck Overturns On Way To Fire

A 36-year-old volunteer firefighter in southwest Missouri died when the firetruck he was driving left the road and overturned.

The Ebenezer Fire Protection District says Dustin W. Brandhorst died Friday evening in Fair Grove.

KOLR reports the Missouri State Highway Patrol says Brandhorst was responding to a fire at an abandoned structure north of Springfield when his truck crashed at an intersection in Fair Grove.

He died at the scene. Brandhorst had volunteered with the Ebenezer Fire District for three years.

According to the MSHP, the accident occurred at 8:48 p.m. in Greene County. Brandhorst had the emergency lights and siren activated when the 2007 International truck traveled off the right side of the road and overturned roughly seven miles north of Springfield on HIghway A.

Brandhorst, of Springfield, was pronounced dead at 9:12 p.m. by Greene County Medical Examiner Josh Moore. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Assisting the Patrol were Green County Deputies, Fair Grove Fire, Ebenezer Fire, Strafford Fire, Logan-Rogersville Fire, and Cox EMS.

The Ebenezer Fire Protection District announced that visitation for Brandhorst will be held Thursday, March 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Praise Assembly, 3535 North Glenstone Avenue in Springfield. A uniform member walk-through is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

A funeral service will be held Friday, March 25 at 11 a.m. at Praise Assembly.

A memorial for Brandhorst has also been organized at Ebenezer Fire Station 4, located at 387 East Farm Road 96. The public is invited to visit and pay their respects to Brandhorst. The memorial will be indoors due to the rainy weather, it was noted.

"All cards, pictures, statues, and flowers still in good condition will be given to the family when they are ready," a Facebook post read.

"Regarding the procession - we expect a large turnout to honor Dustin, and will have a logistics team coordinating the procession. Their information will be released as soon as possible, so that individuals, organizations, and/or departments can reach out to find their assigned staging and arrival time," read another Facebook post.

Inquiries can be directed to Assistant Chief Ashlee Parker at (417) 406-2480 or Station Headquarters at (417) 833-0128.